Feel overwhelmed just thinking of it? I understand. I have been there, too.

The psychological and physical benefits of exercise can help you manage stress and anxiety. So how exactly does exercise help depression and anxiety? How does a healthy diet affect depression and anxiety?

We all know that exercise is good for us, but how does it actually affect our bodies? Well, exercise has both physical and psychological effects on our body. Regular exercise can help you manage depression and anxiety by:

• Releases feel-good endorphins: Natural cannabis-like brain chemicals (endogenous cannabinoids) and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being are released during exercise. This can improve your mood and increase your overall energy levels.
• Occupying your mind: Exercise helps you regain focus, and release stress. This way, you can get away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression and anxiety.

Regular exercise can also help you:

• Gain confidence: Meeting exercise goals or challenges, even small ones, can boost your self-confidence. Taking a few minutes out of your day to do some simple exercises can go a long way.
• Get more social interaction: Exercise and physical activity may give you the chance to meet or socialize with others. Just exchanging a friendly smile or greeting as you walk around your neighborhood can help your mood.
• Cope in a healthy way: Doing something positive to manage depression or anxiety is a healthy coping strategy.

These are only a few of the benefits of exercising, as exercise has benefits that go far beyond weight loss.

• Beta-carotene: apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, collards, peaches, pumpkin, spinach, and sweet potato.
• Vitamin C: blueberries, broccoli, grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, peppers, potatoes, strawberries, and tomato.
• Vitamin E: margarine, nuts and seeds, vegetable oils, and wheat germ.

Selenium also helps regulate your mood. Foods that can help raise your selenium levels are:

• Beans and legumes
• Lean meat (lean pork and beef, skinless chicken and turkey)
• Low-fat dairy products
• Nuts and seeds (particularly brazil nuts - but no more than three a day because of their high selenium content)
• Seafood (oysters, clams, sardines, crab, saltwater fish, and freshwater fish)
• Whole grains (whole-grain pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, etc.)

Additionally, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids are crucial when it comes to making sure your body and mind function properly.

When you think of exercise, you probably think of going to the gym. However, exercise doesn't always have to mean running laps. Simply walking for 10-30 minutes a day is enough for you to experience some of the benefits of exercising.

Did you know that we are offering live, interactive AIM 4 Brain Health online groups that include tips for good health, Exercise and Support as well as accountability?

Contact us for more information and to sign up!

You can start small, say by taking a 10-minute walk every day, and worm your way up from there. Any physical activity that gets you off the couch and moving can help improve your mood.

You don't have to do all your exercise or other physical activity at once. Broaden how you think of exercise and find ways to add small amounts of physical activity throughout your day. For example, you can try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or doing some stretches every now and again.

All in all, both a healthy diet and exercise are beneficial to your mental health. Making small changes each day can help you manage your depression and anxiety.

If you feel fatigued and depressed a lot, I invite you to get my checklist and roadmap on how to reverse depression, emotional paint and chronic fatigue below!